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Past vs. present
Posted: 02 Oct 2016, 00:32
by gali
The book flows smoothly back and forth through time. Did you like this style of writing? Which period did you more enjoy? I liked the way the past enlightened the present, giving us some background in the process, but the present scenes were my favorite.
Re: Past vs. present
Posted: 02 Oct 2016, 11:24
by TrishaAnn92
I am conflicted about what my favorite was, they were both my favorite for different reasons. The past gave us knowledge that the the present was clueless about. While in the present, the group was making their own discoveries and coming to their own conclusions leading up to the climatic ending.
Re: Past vs. present
Posted: 03 Oct 2016, 08:07
by Kourtney Bradley
I enjoyed reading about the past stories more, as so many questions were answered with reading about them.
Re: Past vs. present
Posted: 07 Oct 2016, 11:37
by Scott
I think the switching between different times--and thus different stories--is a great storytelling device. It helps keep up the suspense. The two stories were very well integrated, in my opinion.
I would have loved even more exploration of Asa, his relationship with Mary, and his downfall in that specific sense.
I like that we learn about the past both by (1) directly 'seeing' it happen at times, so to speak, and (2) indirectly learning information through clues discovered in the present. Again, it helps build the suspense and keep the storytelling interesting with some variety.
Re: Past vs. present
Posted: 09 Oct 2016, 10:44
by MrsCatInTheHat
gali wrote:The book flows smoothly back and forth through time. Did you like this style of writing? Which period did you more enjoy? I liked the way the past enlightened the present, giving us some background in the process, but the present scenes were my favorite.
I LOVE this style of writing. Time travel in a different sense than normal time travel stories. At times, Sheila and Jay would see things from the past but not actually be there. At other times, especially Sheila, would really be in the past. And then sometimes the past would come to the future. Very well done.
Re: Past vs. present
Posted: 17 Oct 2016, 09:09
by Heidi M Simone
I loved the switching back and forth, for sure. However, if I had to pick one, it would be the past. Not only did I learn more about the situation at hand, but I also felt the seriousness more here than the present. There were times during the present when I was questioning, "Why are these characters are so light and happy when someone (Beth) just got murdered? Or why are they being so playful and lovey when they have these ghosts that can not only possess people, but kill people even in the present?"
Re: Past vs. present
Posted: 17 Oct 2016, 11:33
by Joy Boudreau
I liked the switching back and forth between past and present - that is a good way to tell this story. I can't really imagine how this would work with only one viewpoint, actually. If it was the past only, then you don't have the modern day story. if it's the present only, there would have to be some other way of discovering what happened in the past - more research from the modern characters (which, proved very difficult, at best...) Too many visions of the past would hinder the believability.
Re: Past vs. present
Posted: 17 Oct 2016, 15:27
by Heidi M Simone
greenstripedgiraffe wrote:I liked the switching back and forth between past and present - that is a good way to tell this story. I can't really imagine how this would work with only one viewpoint, actually. If it was the past only, then you don't have the modern day story. if it's the present only, there would have to be some other way of discovering what happened in the past - more research from the modern characters (which, proved very difficult, at best...) Too many visions of the past would hinder the believability.
Now that you mention it, I'm also not sure how this book would work without both past and present throughout the novel. I still liked the past better, but believe one would not work without the other. Good thought!

Re: Past vs. present
Posted: 17 Oct 2016, 18:00
by Janetleighgreen
hsimone wrote:greenstripedgiraffe wrote:I liked the switching back and forth between past and present - that is a good way to tell this story. I can't really imagine how this would work with only one viewpoint, actually. If it was the past only, then you don't have the modern day story. if it's the present only, there would have to be some other way of discovering what happened in the past - more research from the modern characters (which, proved very difficult, at best...) Too many visions of the past would hinder the believability.
Now that you mention it, I'm also not sure how this book would work without both past and present throughout the novel. I still liked the past better, but believe one would not work without the other. Good thought!

Exactly!
Re: Past vs. present
Posted: 21 Oct 2016, 15:19
by Kdonegan91
I enjoy this type of writing. I believe to really understand the future or present we must know the past. The past answers a lot of questions for the reader.
Re: Past vs. present
Posted: 21 Oct 2016, 17:35
by Janetleighgreen
Kdonegan91 wrote:I enjoy this type of writing. I believe to really understand the future or present we must know the past. The past answers a lot of questions for the reader.
Thank you. ☺
Re: Past vs. present
Posted: 21 Oct 2016, 17:37
by Kdonegan91
Janetleighgreen wrote:Kdonegan91 wrote:I enjoy this type of writing. I believe to really understand the future or present we must know the past. The past answers a lot of questions for the reader.
Thank you. ☺

Re: Past vs. present
Posted: 22 Oct 2016, 08:37
by Heidi M Simone
Kdonegan91 wrote:I enjoy this type of writing. I believe to really understand the future or present we must know the past. The past answers a lot of questions for the reader.
Very well said!

Re: Past vs. present
Posted: 18 Mar 2017, 14:22
by Immaculata Uduma
The past connects the present.The essence of research is to bring what has existed to what is existing. There is always reference to past events when present condition demands so.Past and present work hand in hand.
Re: Past vs. present
Posted: 04 Jun 2017, 19:52
by Kisses
Telling two stories at the same time is a great writing, you will see in the style of writing in how it compares and reflects the two different path of story, but they are connected and having the same point of view.
The story was interesting.
Thank You.